A Wife for Stephen

by Valcine Brown

  Celeste brushes her teeth and then sets about lightly applying her makeup. Giving herself a satisfactory nod in the mirror, she puts on her shoes in the bedroom and grabs her wrap from the wardrobe.

  When Celeste enters the seating area, she sees Jenny wearing a beautiful dress in charcoal gray and matching shoes. Jenny, always the epitome of style, looks gorgeous, and Celeste tells her so.

  “Me? You are the one who is going to knock Stephen for a loop when he gets a look at you.”

  In the lobby of the hotel, they walk to the front desk and Jenny inquires of the concierge who is attending the counter about their ride to the concert.

  “They are waiting right outside, Madam,” the concierge answers before getting the attention of the doorman who comes and escorts Jenny and Celeste to their awaiting vehicle.

  Again, a limousine, but this time, it is a shiny black stretched limo sparkling to the point that Celeste can see her reflection against the side as she approaches.

  Once the two ladies are seated in the back of the limo, the driver gently coaxes the vehicle out of its parking spot. The ride is rather long compared to the distance they actually travel. This, Celeste contributes to the bumper-tobumper traffic that is associated with a Saturday night on the Las Vegas strip.

  Celeste and Jenny are escorted by Henry, from the limo to their seat on the fifth row, center remembers Henry from that first night Stephen a short while ago. As the opening acts get under way, Jenny and Celeste sing along.

  When Class One takes the stage the audience is transported to the height of the evening. The roar of the stage. Celeste when she met crowd is deafening. Celeste and Jenny find themselves covering their ears in an effort to save their hearing.

  Tonight’s performance, to Celeste, is even better than it was on the night she saw them in Los Angeles at the Staple Center, if that is at all possible. Perhaps, thinks Celeste, it has something to do with the uncanny feeling that Stephen is singing to her.

  Celeste passes the notion off as ridiculous and chalks it up to them having spent the afternoon together and her getting to know Stephen on a personal level.

  After Class One takes their final bow and the curtain draws to a close, Celeste and Jenny rise from their seat and make an effort to wade to the backstage access curtain. They are unable to move much from their seats, so they decide to sit and wait out the crowd.

  “They sure were on it tonight,” comments Jenny.

  “Yeah. They were.”

  “Wasn’t that opening act different than the one we saw in LA?”

  “Yeah. They were.”

  “What’s with you and the short answers? That’s not like you.”

  “I’ve just been doing some thinking.”

  Quirking her lips and raising one well-arched brow, Jenny says, “For you, that’s never a good thing.”

  “This time, I bet you would disagree. I like Stephen. I was just trying to figure out why.”

  Jenny sits speechless and perplexed, staring at Celeste. After a short silence, she says, “Are you feeling OK?” while raising her hand to touch Celeste’s forehead.

  “I’m fine,” answers Celeste and moves Jenny’s hand. “He’s a nice guy,” Celeste finds herself admitting out loud. But knowing that she doesn’t want to discuss anything with Jenny just yet, Celeste looks to see if the crowd has thinned out enough that they can make it down the aisle without feeling like sardines in a can.

  It has. Celeste rises quickly from her seat and says over her shoulder to Jenny, “We can go now.” Celeste is grateful that Jenny isn’t in the mood to prod her and contributes it to the fact that Jenny is probably anxious to see Mario.

  Henry awaits them at the entrance, “Good evening, Ladies. Did you enjoy yourselves?”

  “Yes we did. Thank you.”

  “Good. I’ll show you to the dressing room.”

  Following Henry down and around the corridor is no easy task as Henry is six feet five and weighs nearly two hundred and fifty pounds, easily moving people out of his way. Jenny and Celeste together don’t weigh as much as him. They do their best to stay on his heels until finally they arrive at the door to the dressing room.

  Henry knocks on the door and says, “It’s Henry, Boss.”

  The door is opened by Stephen. As Celeste steps over the threshold she is caught up in a massive bear hug and swung into the room.

  “It was great seeing you out there tonight,” Stephen confesses.

  “I enjoyed being there to cheer you on,” Celeste admits with a pleasant smile on her face, belying the difficulty she has in making such and admission.

  Stephen is slightly taken aback. He could sense on the walk they had taken earlier that they had made some headway in clearing away Celeste’s predisposition toward him. He is quite aware, despite Celeste’s smile, that making such an admission to him goes against her norm. “So, what would you like to do tonight? Usually our manager likes to arrange some appearance for us at an after party, but I made sure to tell him not tonight.”

  “Whatever is fine with me,” Celeste answers.

  “I tell you what. Why don’t you go and wait in the limo? I’ll get showered and changed, and we can meet for a late night dinner? Unless you’ve already eaten?”

  “I had a light dinner before getting dress tonight, but I can surely eat again. I can’t believe you haven’t eaten yet as late as it is.” Celeste makes mention, feeling slightly concerned.

  “I don’t like to eat too close to curtain because it makes me sick.”

  “Oh, OK.”

  “It won’t take me too long.” Stephen lowers his head and places a kiss on Celeste’s cheek. A gentle lingering kiss.

  Celeste raises her hand to run her fingers along the length of his strong jaw and for the briefest moment, she forgets what she is supposed to go do, caught up in the new light in which she is growing to see Stephen. Remembering that she is to wait for Stephen in the limo, she turns on her heals and heads out the same door, she entered through just minutes before.

  Realizing that for the second time today she has forgotten her friend, she stops mid stride and turns to see if Jenny is coming with her.

  “So what are you and Stephen doing later?” Jenny asks Celeste.

  “We’re going to have dinner. What are you and Mario going to do?”

  “We’re going to dinner as well. Will it be all right if we don’t join you? I wouldn’t ask except that you and Stephen appear to be getting along well enough.”

  “That’s fine. For goodness sake, Jenny. I never intended you to be my keeper the whole time we are in Vegas. One can only expect that you would of course like to spend some time alone with your man.

  “And yes. You are correct. Stephen and I are getting along just fine. And even if we weren’t, I am perfectly able to entertain myself should the need arise. But I don’t think it will.”

  Celeste and Jenny are in the limo waiting for the men for a just short while but long enough for Celeste to mentally file away the enigma that she is now coming to know as Stephen. A man surely can’t kiss her so gently and have ill intentions. Unless he were a good actor.

  Celeste is not convinced that he is acting. But neither is she prepared to give in to the new feelings that are welling up within her for the tall chocolate man.

  The car door is opened, and Stephen and Mario enter; Stephen sits beside Celeste and Mario beside Jenny.

  Upon situating himself in the back seat, Stephen says to Celeste “I told the driver to drop us at the hotel. From there we can drive to the restaurant.” Taking her warm soft hand into his own, he asks, “Do you like Mexican food?”

  “I most certainly do.”

  Celeste settles into the back of the seat luxuriating in the feel of the supple leather against her muscles. And even more, she is enjoying sitting so close to Stephen. Enjoying the feel of her hand in his.

  They arrive at the hotel and discover that the SUV has already been pulled around for their easy access. A quick switch of vehic
les and they are off for their private dinner.

  After entering the restaurant, it takes Celeste’s eyes a bit to adjust to its dimly lit interior. As they are escorted to their table, Celeste takes notice of the lovely Mexican tapestry hanging on the walls. The walls are painted in a pale pink and are also adorned by sombreros and pictures depicting Hispanic women and children in their village lifestyles.

  Celeste’s chair is held out by the host. A menu is placed in front of Stephen and herself. They place an order for a soft drink each and are left alone to decide their entrees.

  When the waitress arrives with their drink order, she ask if they are ready to place their food order. Celeste chooses enchiladas, a Carne Asada, and Mexican style rice proceeded by a bowl of authentic albondegas soup.

  Stephen says, “That sounds good. I’ll have the same.” Conversation flows freely between them. When their entrees arrive, they ask for God’s blessing on their meal and delve in.

  Sitting back from the table, feeling utterly stuffed, Celeste lays her cutlery down. Stephen does the same.

  Over the course of the meal, the conversation touches on many various topic, politics, Stephen’s interest in sports of all kinds, and Celeste’s ambivalence to sports of any kind, the most pertinent topic of all, their respective relationship with the Almighty.

  Celeste is quite surprised to find that on important issues, they see eye to eye. She never could have imagined that behind the stage persona beat a heart with the desire to live for God.

  She had begun to suspect as much earlier when he mentioned his intent on starting a Christian record label, but she understood better now that he had shared his story of how he came back to the Lord after quite a long absence from His presence.

  Celeste, in turn, had shared her salvation story, at which Stephen smiled and nodded, indicating that he knew what it meant to be hungry for the Lord.

  Looking at his watch, Stephen says, “I guess we better head back. Sitting here and talking to you like this has made me lose track of time. I hadn’t realized that it is after 1 AM.”

  “Wow. And they stay open this late?”

  “This is Vegas. Not too many things close until much, much earlier in the morning.”

  Stephen rises from his chair and rounds the table to pull out Celeste’s chair with one hand and helps her to rise with the other. He settles their bill and then escorts Celeste to the vehicle.

  He sees to Celeste being safely seated and buckled into the vehicle before he lets himself in on the driver’s side. The ride back to the hotel is made in companionable silence.

  The valet parks the vehicle and Stephen escorts Celeste to her suite. He removes her card key from her hand and like the perfect gentleman he has proved himself to be, opens the door for her.

  Celeste says a little sadly, not quite wanting the evening to end yet knowing it must, “Thank you for tonight. I had a great time. Everything was great.”

  “You are welcome. It was my pleasure.” He pauses briefly before continuing to say, “My favorite part of this evening was, well, actually I have two favorite parts. The first was during the concert, knowing that you were waiting for me.”

  Sliding his hands slowly around her thin waste he says, “The second was you and I sharing a meal together. I like looking up from my plate, across the table, and seeing your beautiful face. It makes me feel good.”

  Celeste is not use to being spoken to so romantically in spite of the fact that she was once engaged. With a nervous lump in her throat she is unable to utter anything other than a whispering, “Me too.”

  Stephen senses in his heart that she is open and receptive to his kiss. Their shared kiss is a sweet, gentle, heart-warming caress, one brought about by two people who getting to know each other well. When Stephen removes his lips from her own, he whispers in her ear, “How about brunch around 11 AM?”

  Not trusting her vocal cord to work properly, Celeste can only nod her head in affirmation.

  Stephen places his hand on the small of Celeste’s back and turns her to usher her into the open door, knowing that he had better get her safely locked behind that door and soon.

  Celeste stumbles along the sitting area and goes into her room to dress for bed. She is trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake Jenny.

  She strips from her clothes and gets herself incased in her nightshirt. Her lips are still tingling from Stephen’s kiss. Celeste had never been kissed like that. Oh Tyrone had kissed her, but always she had felt like he was rushing her on to somewhere.

  Stephen’s kiss was vastly different. It wasn’t a precursor to something forbidden. It was a gentle taste of… what?

  Shaking her head to dispel the thoughts accruing, Celeste goes to the en suite to brush her teeth and hair. Afterward, she kneels by the side of her hotel bed and lets her mind focus on God.

  Dearest Father, Thank You for allowing me to make it to Las Vegas safely. As You know, I had quite a hesitation about taking this trip. But now, I’m glad I came. I feel fortunate that I have met, for once in my life, a single man who longs after Your heart. I’m not sure where we go or even if we will be going together, but I do thank You for placing him in my life.

  I know that should we find ourselves not meant to be a couple, at least we will be good friends. It is such a relief to go out with a guy and not feel any pressure. I pray that I may sleep well and awaken to another beautiful day that You have made. I ask for Your blessing upon those who do not know You in the pardon of their sins, and pray that they may come to know You before it is too late.

  Thank You so much for the grace and mercy that You lavish on me so willingly.

  In Jesus’ name, Amen

  Celeste climbs between the soft sheets and almost as soon as her head hits the pillow, is fast asleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  Celeste awakens to a most glorious day. The sun outside of her window is shining bright with not a cloud in the sky.

  Looking at the clock that reads a quarter after ten, she figures she had better dress quickly if she is to have breakfast with Stephen as planned.

  It is eleven o’clock sharp when Celeste hears a strong knock on the suite door. Having just completed her morning dressing ritual, she is ready when she opens the hotel door to greet Stephen who is smiling at her and is truly happy to see her.

  “You are beautiful,” he says before he takes her in his arms and gives her a quick peck on her lips.

  “Good morning,” Celeste says.

  Hand in hand they stroll down the hallway to the elevator. “I’ve made a reservation for us at Top of the World. Have you ever eaten there?” he asks.

  “Is that the restaurant that completely revolves around?” After Stephen nods his agreement Celeste continues, “No, I haven’t. But I certainly would love to.”

  That having been said, Stephen takes her to Top of the World where they have a beautiful champagne buffet brunch. They feast on everything, except Stephen doesn’t have any champagne since he is driving.

  After their shared meal, Stephen takes Celeste on a tour of Vegas. They go to Circus Circus to play arcade games, and they go to the mall and stroll leisurely browsing in various shops. With each stop Stephen files Celeste’s preferences into his memory bank for future use.

  At each of their tour sites a crowd of teenagers and young adults stops Stephen. Some asking for autographs while others ask Stephen to pose for pictures. There are a few fans that wanted neither, only to shake Stephen’s hand and meet him.

  After the last of the crowd that had gathered around them departs, Celeste asks Stephen, “Does it ever bother you that you are unable to go anywhere without being noticed?”

  “It did a lot in the beginning when I was younger and selfish. But I came to understand that these are the people who buy my music, whose lives I’ve somehow had an influence on. When I look at it that way, it’s a pleasure to meet the people whom I have impacted.”

  Wondering where the question stemmed form, Stephen asks of Ce
leste, “Does it bother you? That I am so recognized?”

  “Not at all. I was just curious to know how you saw it all.” Looking at the gold watch resting on her wrist, Celeste is disappointed to see her impending departure is drawing so near. “I think now would be a good time to get my stuff from the hotel. I don’t want to miss my flight. I’ve still got to work in the morning.”

  In the car on their way back to the hotel, Celeste sends Jenny a text message asking about meeting up at the hotel to ride to the airport together. The response she receives from Jenny states that Jenny will meet Celeste at the airport. This strikes Celeste as a little odd but she figures she’ll have time to ask Jenny about it on their return flight home and sends Jenny a final message saying, “OK.”

  Stephen doesn’t want their time together to end, but he knows it must. However, his mood is lifted with the hope of seeing her in the near future.

  Just as quickly as his spirits rose, they plummet with the knowledge that he is not sure if or when he will be able to see her again.

  They pick up Celeste’s belongings from the hotel and begin the trip to the airport. The drive to the airport is made in tense silence. The thought and uncertainty of not knowing when he shall see Celeste again consume Stephen.

  Celeste is quiet because she fears that she may have begun to have feelings for the man sitting beside her. But why is he so quiet? This past weekend, we’ve been talking quite a bit. I thought things were going well.

  All of a sudden, it dawns on Celeste that perhaps she had been mistaken. Maybe things weren’t going as well for him as they were for her. Maybe he wasn’t enjoying their time together as much as she was.

  What if he was just making conversation with her because she was there? Perhaps because he didn’t want to focus on the fact that this weekend has been a total waste? Or he hadn’t let his mind focus on such until now. Well, Celeste thinks to herself, if that is the case, then he deserves to feel his weekend was a bust. How dare he deceive her? It wasn’t as if she asked to see him this weekend or invited herself to tag along with Jenny.